Getting Started Controlling Video with Ableton Live

By Will Doggett

In this lesson we'll talk about all the concepts you need to know before we dig into actual programming of cues. We'll talk about Why it's worth doing this, and provide a basic gear list.

00:32Types of Video Content

Background Video

Foreground Video

00:37 Background Video

Focus is not on this content

Sync isn’t as big of a deal

Lyric Backgrounds

01:33 Foreground Video

Focus is on this content

Sync is a big deal

Lyric Video

Intro Videos

02:18Two Goals when using a Video Playback System

02:24 Playback

We’re creating content elsewhere, or purchasing, and we just need to Playback the Content

GOALS: Sync the Playback Position, Sync to a tempo

03:10 Creative

We want to creatively alter the video in our software, or create something new from it.

GOALS: Same as Playback, but also control effect levels, etc..

03:39Potential Sync Problems with Video Playback

Syncing Timeline Position

Don’t worry too much with losing sync live

If you stop in rehearsal, you have to start again from the top, because there’s no way to transmit timeline location

04:40 -Syncing Tempo/Changing Tempo

Most people live with this limitation

There are solutions to allow the video to flex with you

05:25Traditional Video Playback Setup

Controlled by the Lighting Console

At this Cue, play this video

The video can be manipulated in realtime from the lighting console via a Media Server

06:40 What is a Media Server?

Essentially a Computer dedicated to playback and manipulate video

07:11 Green Hippo Hippotizer

08:04 Coolux Pandoras Box

08:35 This doesn’t have to be a HUGE purchase.

This could be a Mac Mini running Video Software

09:13 Pro Systems Group Catalyst

09:39Things to Consider when Creating a Media Server

Hard Drive Space

Hard Drive Speed

CPU

Graphics Card

Don’t always think Industry Standard

11:15Video Control Solutions/Products

11:18 ProPresenter

MIDI Module

Bome's MIDI Translator

13:44 Qlab

14:55 Resolume Arena/Avenue

16:13 Arkaos Grand VJ

Videos from Sweetwater with The Digital Age

18:12Video Control Options

18:38 DMX

Sending DMX from Ableton Live?

Ableton can't natively send DMX

What is DMX?

19:55 DMax

Requires Max4Live or Ableton Live Suite

20:33 DMXis

21:58 MIDI

Notes

CC

25:33 SMPTE

What is SMPTE?

Generating SMPTE Tracks online

Controlling Lights with Bwack

28:43 MTC

Midi Version of SMPTE

29:43 Live MTC

32:23 MSC

Bome's MIDI Translator

In this course you’ll learn how to control video from Ableton Live. We’ll specifically take a look at how to use Ableton Live to control Pro Video Player 2 and Qlab. You’ll also learn how to use video in Live directly. We’ll look at how to program cues efficiently each week, and how to have freedom when using video content live.